The Axeman's Carnival - Catherine Chidgey

For our November meeting we'll be reading The Axeman's Carnival, Catherine Chidgey's darkly comic novel about violence, loneliness, human nature, and the strange relationship between the human and natural worlds.

Set in NZ on a farm in the South Island, the novel follows Tama, a rescued magpie whose remarkable ability to mimic human speech makes him an unlikely star. As Tama becomes increasingly entangled in the lives of Marnie and her husband Rob, he observes the tensions, secrets, hopes and violence within their troubled marriage. From his unusual perspective, the boundaries between the animal and human worlds begin to blur, revealing both the absurdity and darkness of human behaviour.

Through Tama's eyes, Catherine Chidgey asks fascinating questions about what it means to observe, imitate and understand others—and whether we can ever really know the minds of those around us.

Everyone is welcome to our meetings! No need to be an expert or have a literary background — just come along, share your thoughts, and enjoy a great discussion with fellow readers.